Thursday, January 30, 2014

Synopsis School. Tests. Scholarships. Goals. Senior class overachiever Geoff Miller thought he had it all figured out. All he needed to do was make it through the next six months, graduate, and get on with his life. College at the University of Virginia beckoned him-- and he just wanted to put the last horrible four years at Heritage High School in the "done" folder. Geoff just didn't count on two things: Laine Phillips, and sex.
At first, his passing crush on the school princess seemed to Geoff like a distraction from a boring life in a snobby Greater Cincinnati suburb. Then one day, it turned into something more... Six months. Not that long, right?

ReactionsAn interesting romance that mixes elements of Cinderella with contemporary reality into a cute tale. Geoff lives with two jealous half-brothers and a stepfather with whom he can not communicate. Here begins the similarity with the Cinderella myth.
This young man whose family life is not necessarily easy, see life throught strange glasses. He thinks that everybody is against him. The more, the reader advance into the story, the more you see that the hero found himself in this situation because he has created a distance between himself and his entourage. His intelligence and his ability to study make him want to leave his school and escape the life he leads.
But his teenage negativity does not reflect on the reality. Geoff does not take the time to enjoy the moment and he constantly judges his surroundings until he met Laine. Personally, the beautiful princess charm has not operated on myself. I found Laine's reactions not as realistic as those of Geoff.
But she is an important female character to address the problem of violence against women and the need to be perfect in the eyes of others. Specifically, because if you do not reveal yourself as you are and hide your troubles behind a smile, it will be difficult for your relatives to behind the facade. Just because people are focused on themselves and that what's made them blind. This side of the story was very interesting and well pictured by Sara Celi. I was less sensitive to the romance that lacked emotion for my taste. But that does not diminish the quality of the story and messages developed by the author that I enjoyed. Not at all what I expected...

Sentences

"I rehearsed the phone call twelve times before I made it : five times in the shower, four in front of the bathroom mirror, twice while I ran on the treadmill in the workout room, and once more as I scrubbed the tiles on the kitchen floor on Saturday morning."

From Geoff: "I loved holding her, She was like something forbidden that only I could have."

From Laine: "What can I say?" She gave me a sad smile. "I'm good at hiding things, Faking it, That's my specialty."

Source*Arc provided by the author. I received this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.

ENJOY AN EXCERPT

“Sure.” She bit her cherry-red lip, and watching her do it almost made me fall out of the chair. Still, she made no move to take a seat. “I wasn’t going to come over and talk to you—but, well, I just wanted to say that—well,” she broke off. “Never mind.”

“Seriously, do you want to sit down?” I asked again.

“Yeah.” She looked over her shoulder. “I just don’t want to be alone right now.”

As I hurried to move my school stuff out of the way, she slid into the metal chair and tossed her own book bag on the floor. Then I just stared at her, because I didn’t know what to say, and I couldn’t figure out why she’d sat down next to me. It just didn’t make much sense. The library had plenty of open tables, and even more computer desks. Hell, she could have had a whole section to herself if she wanted it.

So why me? Why me? WHY ME?

“Have you started the paper?” I asked when the awkwardness became too much for me to bear.

She nodded. “Yeah, last week. I’m about three quarters of the way done with the outline.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I like English literature a lot, especially that time period.”

I sat back, surprised. No one liked Langston’s class. No one. Right? And she didn’t seem like the English type, since she never talked much in that class. I had assumed she got in just because of who she was in school and the magic spell she seemed to have over everyone—even the teachers. “So, you’re telling me you like AP English?”

She gave me a blank look, as if I shouldn’t be surprised about this.

“Well, that’s awesome. I can’t get into it. At least, not that stuff we’re learning right now.”

“It’s not that bad, Geoff. Some of it is kinda romantic.” She disappeared underneath the table and came back a few seconds later with a thick green binder, a blue pen, and her own iPad. She opened up the binder and pulled the iPad out of the case as a small smirk danced on her face.

“Wait. Are you going to study here?” I paused. “With me?”

“Sure I am. This is a library.” Laine winked. “You do know how these work, right?”
“But I mean—”

“And you look so—I don’t know—lonely sitting here all alone.”

“So you just thought you’d plop down and study with me?”

“What? Don’t you want me to?” She tilted her head and frowned, as if she didn’t understand why I’d asked the question. “That’s what people do in a library. They study. Sometimes together. Of course, I could always go study with one of the freshmen.”

But even as she said this, she made no move to get up from the table we shared. Meanwhile, all the attention in the room had turned to her. Everyone in the library stared, transfixed. She was like that ring from The Lord of the Rings. My precious.

Good fucking grief. Of course I would make that kind of lame analogy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New Orleans born Sara Celi has lived all over the United States. She calls the Greater Cincinnati area and the Queen City home. She has spent more than a decade working in journalism and broadcasting, with jobs both on-air and off-air at TV stations in Louisiana, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications, magazines and newspapers, and she is a contributing author to Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Power of Positive. Sara graduated cum laude from Western Kentucky University in 2004. In her spare time, she likes to read, shop, write, travel, run long distances, volunteer with the Junior League, and fund raise for Cooperative for Education, a non-profit providing educational opportunities for Guatemalan kids.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

A
chance encounter. An undeniable connection. An unimaginable twist of fate.

Kailey’s
life is crumbling. Her best friend and sister, Jen, is dying, leaving her young
family devastated. With little hope of saving her, Kailey is forced to face a
reality she never expected.

Trey’s
life is fun and carefree. He loves the girls, his drums, and his friends.
That’s not to say he isn’t continuously plagued by a difficult decision made
years ago—one that changed the course of his life.

Despite
the connection they make when their paths unexpectedly cross, Kailey knows her
life has no room for anyone else right now. But regardless of how many times she
pushes him away, Trey only fights harder to make a place for him in her life
and in her heart.

Trey
thought he knew heartbreak, but he had no idea until life gave him a second
chance, only to snatch it away just as fast. This time he’s determined to keep
his place in the life of the ones he loves.

Is
there such a thing as fate? If so, can Kailey and Trey hold on to one another
long enough to discover there’s no such thing as a chance encounter?

Michelle moved around the Midwest most of her life,
transferring from school to school before settling down in the outskirts of
Chicago ten years ago, where she now resides with her husband and two
kids. She developed a love of reading at
a young age, which helped lay the foundation for her passion to write. With the encouragement of her family, she
finally sat down and wrote one of the many stories that have been floating
around in her head. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found playing
with her kids, talking to her mom on the phone, or hanging out with her family
and friends. But after chasing around
twin preschoolers all day, she always cherishes her relaxation time after
putting the kids to bed.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Be it unrequited fascination with his straight best friend or impossible fantasies of rekindled interest with his heartbreaking ex, Mason has no clue why the perfect connection seems to keep slipping through his fingers. When another lonely holiday seems like too much weight to shoulder, Mason gives up on romance and seeks out the next best thing—rented company. Jack is everything a person could want in an escort: willing, hot, and built like an angel. Mason can't resist. After all, who wouldn't be interested in a guy who loves kid's movies, is a self-professed Peter Pan, and has no problem throwing caution to the wind at a moment's notice. But then interest quickly blooms into a whole new emotion—an emotion that Mason knows far too well, especially when Jack has no interest in returning it, preferring to keep his heart safely tucked away in Neverland. Reactions
A very touching gay romance between a romantic and a cynic with a big heart...

From the start, I liked Jack. I enjoy his attitude, his bossy behaviour. He is a strong character even if he not values himself very much. He made ​​me smile especially when he was a undrinkable bitch in the morning before having is beauty rest.

Of course, as an escort, he has a hard and biased look on the world. To protect his heart, he has built walls for not suffering. At the same time, he is the strand of madness and realism necessary to Mason. This guy is too nice for his own good!

As for the secondary character, I fell for Greg . I really enjoy is protectiveness toward his friend and his jackass sense of humour.
The scene where Mason confesses his feelings contains a fun ending despite the emotional tension . Very well done!

Mason and Jack is a duet with which I had a great time, even if there is a Pretty Woman side to the story that makes it a little too fairy tale for my taste.
But it is well written, fun and spirited. The sex scenes are varied and superbly told.

Beautiful story !

Sentences

From Amelia: "There's nothing wrong with wearing your heart on your sleeve, Mason. As long as you've got it there because you want it to be seen, because you're proud of its beauty and its power. It only gets ugly when you've placed it there because you're offering it up as an easy sacrifice."

From Mason: "I want someone to pick my ass up and fly me to Neverland."

From Mason: "Don't be sorry. Be gay."

From Jack: "You are an idealistic princess."

From Mason: "And you are a miserable troll" Mason smiled. "Good thing they made you pretty, hmm?"

Monday, January 27, 2014

Synopsis Two years ago tragedy took Harry Everett's confidence as a man and as a Dom. And while he's managed to continue to live his life, what he hasn't been able to do is venture back into the lifestyle that used to be as much a part of him as breathing. The trust he once had in his instincts is broken and for the first time in his life, this alpha man is lost and without answers. So when a friend suggests perhaps a professional submissive could help him, Harry's reluctantly willing to try. He doesn't hold out much hope, though. Until she shows up on his doorstep and turns everything upside down. A professional submissive for the past seven years, December doesn't belong to any one master. And she likes it that way. But when her best friend’s Dom asks December to help his friend, she can't resist the chance to really do some good. Here's a man who doesn't just want someone to flog - he needs what she can provide and December is determined to help. She's prepared for this to be tough, but what she's not prepared for is how Harry makes her feel. It’s obvious from the beginning that he’s not like any other client and this is not just a job – for either of them.

She’s got five weeks to help him heal. He’s got five weeks to learn how to keep her… or how to let her go.

Reactions Five tender, hot, sensual weeks to allow two souls to believe in love once again in a BDSM romance with twists. I liked that Harry is a Dom who lost his confidence. Ditto that he needs a partner to learn how to believe in him. However, this angle is quickly abandoned by the author in favor of sexual games played with December to allow him to heal. Hot games! I enjoyed the variety of scenes and landscapes. All the action does not take place in the same place and all the sex scenes and kinks are different. Always very sensual, they are tender and quite soft compared to other BDSM books but I've greatly enjoyed my read. I was not fan of Harry and December stay in Kentucky as I still don't really see the importance of this passage. It was too quickly shipped for my taste even if some potential was present. But overall, this is a fairly accessible romance with a beautiful threesome described with very enticing words. I liked the softness of Blue Kincaid's writing skills. Great discovery!

Sentences

"She could hear his breath panting in the silences between blows. She paced her breath to his, until she imagined their hearts beat in the same rhythm."

Sunday, January 26, 2014

This is not your typical rock star romance. For one, the “rock star” is a rapper. And not just any rapper. Trace is the hottest ticket in the music industry right now, regardless of which definition of ‘hot’ you choose.
Taryn Starr is not the girl-next-door who unknowingly meets a celebrity. Known as “America’s Sweetheart,” the reigning country music princess and world-renowned superstar knows exactly who Trace is…or does she? Their worlds collide when the musicians whose paths were never destined to cross are forced by their joint record label to collaborate on a song. The sparks fly and ignite a fire that blazes hotter with every minute they spend together—for better or worse. One thing’s for certain, the two media magnets can’t deny their explosive chemistry, but will life in the spotlight ultimately bring Trace and Taryn together or force them apart? ***This contemporary romance new adult novel is for mature audiences. The language alone would make a sailor blush (the guy’s a rapper, remember?) so 18+ only, please.

My guitarist, huh? I can’t help but wonder what else he is to her. Considering his close proximity and the adoring way he’s looking at her, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what he wants to be. Question is, what does she want? Or rather, who? And why the hell do I care anyway?

“Trace?” I snap out of my ridiculous thoughts to see both Taryn and Ryder staring at me. I also don’t miss the curious look her mom is shooting my way, arched eyebrow included.
“Nice to meet you,” I say, using my most polite voice. It’s a good thing my boys aren’t listening in or they’d be giving me shit for sure. “You must be a hell of a guitar player to get to back up this girl.” Okay, that was a dig I just couldn’t help.

“I do what I can,” he says with a smirk, and I have the unexpected urge to knock that grin right off country boy’s face. My label would love that, me starting a fight right here at the home office. “Oh, and congrats on the win, by the way, even if you did beat my girl here. Then again, she did take home the grand prize so it’s all good, right?”
If Taryn was a fire hydrant, he just pissed all over her. Yeah, I better get the fuck out of here and fast. “Yeah, we’re good. Look, it’s good to meet you, but I gotta jet...literally,” I say and notice the way the corner of Taryn’s perfect pink lips turn up at my words. “Tour starts tomorrow.”

“I heard about your tour,” he says and I raise my eyebrows. This should be interesting because I know this redneck doesn’t listen to my music. “What’s it called again?” he asks, and I see his eyes shift to the right where there is a newly-released tour poster covering half of the damn wall. The words “This is Me, Motherfuckers” are emblazoned across a life-sized version of me giving two middle fingers to anyone who sees it. Ironically, this poster doesn’t really represent me at all, but this asshole doesn’t need to know that. I’m not sure why exactly, but he is definitely trying to make me look bad in front of Taryn. Well, two can play at that game.

“I guess they don’t teach you how to read down where you’re from, huh?” I ask, indicating the poster. I don’t miss Taryn’s mouth drop open in shock at my words. So much for being polite, I think.

“Actually,” he says, the ever-present smirk still firmly in place, “our home state is known for its high literacy rates.” And there he goes pissing again.

“Well, that’s nice to hear and if I had more time, I’d love a little lesson on the educational system in Texas. But I have a tour to start so if you’ll excuse me, I’ll have to see both of ya’ll later,” I say and brush past Ryder, not bothering to look Taryn’s way again.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Michelle Lynn Bio
Michelle moved around the Midwest most of her life, transferring from school to school before settling down in the outskirts of Chicago ten years ago, where she now resides with her husband and two kids. She developed a love of reading at a young age, which helped lay the foundation for her passion to write. With the encouragement of her family, she finally sat down and wrote one of the many stories that have been floating around in her head. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found playing with her kids, talking to her mom on the phone, or hanging out with her family and friends. But after chasing around twin preschoolers all day, she always cherishes her relaxation time after putting the kids to bed.

Nevaeh Lee Bio
Nevaeh’s first exposure to writing began in a middle school creative writing class. She was reprimanded for composing a politically incorrect story and forced to re-write about a “safer” topic. Being the writing rebel that she is, Nevaeh always likes to push the envelope a bit and never re-writes, unless her editor insists on it.
When she’s not writing, Nevaeh is a freelance book editor ;). And when she’s not reading, writing, or editing, she can be found spending time with her family and taking road trips, exploring the area around wherever she happens to be living at the time. Even though “home” will always be Texas, she has lived in several different states and countries, but currently resides in the DC metro area.
She also adores her really big dog who frequently takes her for walks while enduring her many story ideas and rambling dialogue, which sometimes occurs in multiple languages. After many years of this, she finally decided to start writing out some of these stories and her first book, a joint effort called Collaboration, will be self-published on January 26, 2014.

ABOUT THE AUTHORNew Orleans born Sara Celi has lived all over the United States. She calls the Greater Cincinnati area and the Queen City home. She has spent more than a decade working in journalism and broadcasting, with jobs both on-air and off-air at TV stations in Louisiana, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications, magazines and newspapers, and she is a contributing author to Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Power of Positive. Sara graduated cum laude from Western Kentucky University in 2004.
In her spare time, she likes to read, shop, write, travel, run long distances, volunteer with the Junior League, and fund raise for Cooperative for Education, a non-profit providing educational opportunities for Guatemalan kids.

About Me

Obsessed with books, I'm an avid reader who likes to discover new adventures by opening a book.
Thank you in advance for being a little indulgent for the many spelling errors, I try my best in English!